Portable piano assembly



Feb. 11, 1969 B, sTARcK ETAL 3,426,636

PORTABLE PIANO ASSEMBLY F'iled June 6, 1967 Feb. l1, 1969 B, STARCK ETAL 3,426,636

PORTABLE PIANO ASSEMBLY Filed June 6, 1967 "Feb, 11, 1969 B. smack ET AL 3,426,636

PRTABLE P IANO AS SEMBLY United States Patent O v 3,426,636 PORTABLE PIANO ASSEMBLY Brent Starck, Wilmette, Melvin E. Johnson, Chicago, and Brent R. Starck, Wilmette, Ill., assignors to P. A. Starck Piano Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 6, 1967, Ser. No. 643,857 U.S. Cl. 84-176 Int. Cl. Gc 1/02 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In general, this invention relates to musical instruments of the type having a keyboard and wherein a vibratory member, such as a string or bar, is struck by a key actuated hammer. Specifically this invention concerns improvements in knock-down portable keyboard musical instruments such as a piano or celesta.

For some time there has been an urgent demand and unfilled need for a light weight, portable keyboard instrument capable of quick assembly and disassembly and thereby adapted for travel with the musician, preferably by car, bus or similar vehicle. While the industry has recognized this need for a number of years, the combined demands of portability, light weight and compactness have not been successfully met theretofore. Such knockdown assemblies as have been presented in the past, by in large, have been cumbersome, and characterized by unwieldy weight and mass conventional to a piano. Other factors have prevented any marked advancement and development in meeting the above-noted need, not the least of which is the difiiculty of providing a knock-down keyboard instrument structure capable of convenient assembly and disassembly which also is capable of maintaining requisite instrument integrity, especially in tone quality.

The present invention is addressed to an improved knock-down piano type instrument which is capable of quick assembly and disassembly, particularly characterized by light weight construction promotional of desired portability.

In brief, the present invention comprises a basic two piece or two unit combination, namely, a unitary upright floor supported back and a unitary combination playing keyboard and key action assembly having means for detachably connecting the same to the back unit. Such units therefore are transportable independently. The preferred embodiment of the present invention hereinafter described is directed to a piano particularly distinguished by the elimination of the conventional sounding board associated with the piano strings so that the back unit structure is materially reduced in weight to promote portability. The elimination of the sounding board is achieved principally through the application of known electromagnetic pickup means capable of feeding a sound amplifier system whereby instrument volume is achieved. To the latter end a third auxiliary unit of the overall assembly, namely a sound amplifier, is employed along with suitable electronic controls for regulating the tone and sound amplification -of the piano strings which are struck by hammers in the usual fashion to preserve -desired sound quality for the instrument. Much of the advanced achievements of the overall instrument assembly are brought about through the provision of a portable combination keyboard and key action assembly or unit which comprises means for readily attaching and detaching the same to and from the back unit and for positioning the several key actions in predetermined operative relationship with the sound producing element of the instrument such as the strings of a piano.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved light weight portable keyboard instrument.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved knock-down keyboard musical instrument comprising a unitary back unit and a unitary combination keyboard and key action assembly capable 0f being manually combined and disassociated with the back unit.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved knock-down piano assembly in which the keyboard with its plurality of playing keys and associated key actions includes means for associating the same in operative position with t-he piano strings.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved knock-down piano assembly comprising a unitary piano back and a unitary keyboard adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled for independent transportation and in which the piano back is distinguished by the elimination of a conventional sounding board.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved knock-down keyboard musical instrument assembly which is light weight, compact, readily transportable and is economical to manufacture and convenient to use.

Having thus described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in this art from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of Ia piano assembly embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is another perspective view thereof showing the components of the piano assembly set out in FIGURE l disassociated for transportation purposes;

FIGURE 3 is a view in end elevation looking from the left hand end of the assembled piano seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings with the end panel of the piano casing removed and illustrating the operational relationship of the piano back and piano keyboard units;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along Vantage line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon, such view being foreshortened as indicated;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line 5 5 of FIGURE 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon to illustrate central support means associated with the keyboard unit; and

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line 6 6 of FIGURE 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

Turning now to the features of the preferred embodiment of the present invention set out in the accompanying drawings, it will be recognized especially from FIGURES l and 2 that a piano instrument assembly according to this invention is indicated generally at 10 therein. As shown, piano assembly 10 comprises a generally upright piano back unit 11, a keyboard unit 12 removably attached to the piano back in horizontal playing position and a remote electronic amplifier unit 13 which responds to the vibration of piano strings struck by playing hammers initiated by depressing individual playing keys of unit 12 in a -conventional manner. The tone quality and volume of the instrument is regulated by conventional electronic control means having manually operable control knobs 14 associated with the piano back unit 11.

In FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the piano assembly 10, of FIGURE 1, is shown in a disassociated or knockeddown condition ready for transportation. It will be recognized that the piano back unit 11 becomes a substantially rectangular upright box in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter; the piano keyboard unit 12 is housed in a rectangular transportation case 15 therefor and the amplifier unit 13 is readily portable in its unitary housing which is of substantially suitcase size. Thus, the piano assembly 10 may be readily disassembled into the three units illustrated in FIGURE 2, all of which are of a size adapted to be carried within the interior of an automobile of similar vehicle and all of which are of a weight capable of being readily handled and moved by one or two individuals, the heaviest unit, constituting the piano back unit 11 being readily lifted and transported by two persons.

Dwelling now particularly on the features of the piano back unit 11, so far as they pertain to the present invention, the same comprises a substantially rectangular shaped box or housing having upright rectangular end panels 20 and 21, a rectangular top panel 22, a planar back panel 23 and a. substantially planar front panel comprising coplanar upper and lower sections 24 and 25 separated by an intervening removable transportation section 26 as best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. Section 26 as shown, is substantially rectangular in configuration and fits between the spaced upper and lower sections 24 and 25 of the panel front to protect the interior of the instrumentation contained within the back unit 11 during transportation. When removed, the spacing covered by panel 26, readily receives the inner end of the keyboard unit 12, as will be described hereinafter.

Each of the end panels 20 and 21 is provided with a folding handle means 28, which is hingedly mounted at its upper end and adapted to be recessed into a pocket therefore; the recessed and pulled-out conditions of such handle means 28 being shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, respectively. Fold out legs 29, 29 mounted on vertical axes adjacent their innermost ends are provided adjacent the lower front corners of the back unit to extend outwardly of the end panels 20 and 21 in operation, for stabilizing the piano back unit 11 in an upright position. A sustain peddle means 30 is provided near the central lower margin of the front panel section 25 adjacent an optional volume control peddle 31', such two peddles being operable about horizontal axes (see FIG. 1) and capable of being folded against the front panel portion 25 for transportation purposes (see FIG. 2).

Referring now especially to FIGURE 3 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the top panel 22 of unit 11 is hinged along its rearward edge on hinge means 32 whereby the same is capable of being swung upwardly to provide ready access to the interior of the piano back; such top panel 22 carrying the upper section 24 of the front panel structure therewith. Interiorly, the back unit 11 contains a plurality of playing strings 33 stretched over a harp means 34 in a generally conventional fashion, such harp means compirsing upper and lower rails 35 and 36, respectively, held in spaced relation on a fabricated metal and wooden support frame 37 aflixed to the interior of the piano back cabinet and having several tubular metal uprights 38, 38 providing vertical stability to the xed spacing of the harp rails. It is to be noted that there is no heavy sounding board construction adjacent the harp and strings 33, inasmuch as the vibrational activity of the piano strings is detected by electromagnetic pick up means 39 and then amplified, much as in an electric guitar or similar instruments.

Turning now to the particulars and features of the keyboard unit 12, reference is made to FIGURES 1 and 3 through of the drawings.

As best shown in FIGURES 3-5 of the drawings, the

keyboard unit 12 comprises a keybed supporting frame 40 including a pair of identical metal side frame members 41, 41 (see FIGURE 4) which are cross connected adjacent one end by a pair of parallel spaced elongated hollow metal tubular frame members 42, 43 thereby to provide a substantially U-shaped fabricated metal support structure. An elongated wooden front rail 44 of the keybed support extends between the side frame members 41, 41 and is mounted immediately over the front crossconnecting frame member 43; such front rail 44 being attached to the support frame 40 by suitable hold-down screws or like fastener devices. Similarly an intermediate wooden rail 45 is mounted in spaced parallelism to the front rail 44, over the elongated frame member 42 as best illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. A keyboard assembly 46 constituting a matched set of pivotally movable individual playing keys is assembled over the intermediate and front rails in a conventional fashion on intermediate pivot pins 47, extending upwardly of the intermediate rail 45 and guide pins 48 adjacent the forward ends thereof and projecting upwardly of the front rail 44.

Mounted rearwardly of the assembled piano keyboard 46 and carried between the side frame members 41, 41 is an action assembly 50 having end mounting brackets 51, 51 (FIG. 4) which are bolted to opposing inside faces of the two side frame members 41, 41 by bolt fasteners 52, 52; there being one or more longitudinal bars or stringers 53, 54 extending between the mounting brackets 51, 51 to support a plurality of the individual key actions thereon according to recognized practice in this art. It iS to be noted additionally that an intermediate support bracket 55 is provided substantially mid-way between the spaced end brackets 51, 51 to provide intermediate support for the generally `lengthwise extending action assembly 50; bracket 55 being carried by a cantilever mounting arm 56 attached at one end to an arm portion 57 of the intermediate bracket 55 (see FIG. 5) while the opposite end thereof is aflxed to the intermediate tubular frame member 42 of the keybed support frame. The attachment of the arm 56 to the bracket 55 and frame member 44 is accomplished as by screw means 58 or the like. In this fashion, it will be readily recognized that the elongated action assembly 50 has its individual actions connected to the playing keys and is adequately supported both at and intermediate its ends. Further, such is uniquely carried by the keybed support frame 40 so as to comprise a unitary combination with such framing and the keyboard assembly 46.

In addition to the keyboard assembly 46 and action assembly 50, the frame 40 also carries and supports a pair of latching mechanisms 60, 60 one adjacent each of the frame members 41, 41 thereof as will best be recognized from FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings. As shown specifically in FIGURE 3, a latching mechanism 60 is associated with each side frame member 41, comprises an elongated latch lever 61, pivotally mounted on pivot stud 62 connected to a support pad portion 63 associated with an adjacent one of the two end mounting brackets 51 for the action assembly 50. Lever 61 is normally biased in a clockwise rotational direction against a stop pin 64 by spring means 65 having a hook portion 66 engaged over the upper edge of the lever 61 adjacent the outer end thereof. The opposite end of spring 65 in anchored to the lower edge of the support pad 63 by mounting screw means 67. The inner or left hand end of the lever 61, as shown in FIG. 3, is formed with a downwardly sloping nose 68 immediately behind which is a V-shaped notch 69 adapted to engage the cylindrical shank of a latch bolt or stud 70 having an enlarged head 71 thereon; stud 70 projecting outwardly of an inside face 72 of a lower disposed metal guide bar 73. Guide bar 73 is paralleled by a corresponding upper guide bar 74 with the spacing between such two bars accommodating the vertical dimensions of the frame member 41 therebetween; particularly the inner extending end portion 75 thereof when the keyboard unit is mounted on the back unit 11 so as to bring the outer end 76 of the arm portion 75 into abutting engagement with the inside face of the back wall or panel 23 of the piano back unit 11. In the particular embodiment shown, the two spaced guide bars 73 and 74 preferably are formed as metal bars or straps alixed to the harp supporting framing 37 and more particularly to wooden end uprights 77, 77 thereof. Such uprights as shown, are anchored in the inside rear corners of the piano back unit.

To assist in guiding the outer end portion 75 of the two side frame members 41 into a position of abutting engagement with the back panel 23 as mentioned, the upper guide bar 74 is provided with a planar guiding lug 78 comprising a rectangular metal plate welded to the inside face 79 thereof and extending partially between the bars 73 and 74 as best shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. Thus, it will be understood that the end portion 75 of each frame member 41 is guided between the bars 73 and 74 and laterally confined by the lug 78 and the adjacent parallel face of the wooden frame member 77. This arrangement assures positive alignment of the arm portions 75 as the same slide between the vertically spaced guide bars 73 and 74 at each end of the piano back unit 11, in assembly therewith.

It will be recognized that as the keyboard unit 12 advances to an operating position with respect to the piano back, the outer end of each of the side frame members 41, 41 stops against the back wall or panel 23 of the piano back unit 11 in a predetermined position. In so doing, the sloping or forward edge 67 of each of the latch levers 61 overrides the related projecting lock stud 70 causing the lever to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to escape past such lock stud 70, until the latching notch 69 thereof opposes the shank of the stud. As notch 69 is formed with tapering or converging side walls, the same .acts as a wedge means for tightly latching the frame 41 to the studs 70, 70, while pressing the outer ends of the frame members 41 tightly against the rear panel of the piano back. It will be understood also that when such mounted positioning of the keyboard unit 11 occurs, the latch means 60, 60 associated therewith automatically engage and lock with the latch studs 70, 70 to lock the piano keyboard unit in a stabilized operative position whereat the hammer felts 80 associated with the several individual key actions are positioned in a preselected and accurate spaced relationship relative to the various piano strings 33, as indicated by phantom lines in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

As will be noted particularly from FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, the keyboard unit 12 carries a front facia rail 85 extending along the forward or leading edge of the support frame 40 thereof, while each of the side frame member arms 41, 41 thereof is anked partially along its length by a side rail member 86, affixed thereto. A horizontal cover panel 87 extends between the side rail members 86, 86 over the rearward reaches of assembled keyboard 46 to enclose the latter. Panel 87 also is fitted with an upwardly sloping facia panel 88 adjacent its innermost edge which in conjunction with a similar downwardly sloping panel 89 located beneath the keybed and extending angularly downwardly from bottom side thereof, serve to enclose the spacing between the front panel sections 24 and 25 of the piano back unit when the keybed unit 12 is fully assembled therewith. Thus, a finished appearance to the assembled units 11 and 12, as illustrated in FIGURE l of the drawings, is achieved. It is further to be regarded that the top panel 87 carries centrally thereon, a suitable musical support stand 90 which is preferably removable and capable of being stored within the keyboard transportation case 15 on disassembly of the piano unit 10.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that those familiar with the art will readily recognize and appreciate the novel features which mark the present invention as an advancement in this art. While the invention has hereinabove been described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Consequently, it is intended that this invention be unlimited by the foregoing description, except as may appear in the following appended claims.`

We claim:

1. A portable knock-down keyboard instrument comprising: a portable upright back unit comprising a generally upright hollow rectangular housing distinguished by a front panel thereof having an elongated opening extending thereacross and enclosing vibratory members mounted within said housing; a portable keyboard unit comprising a plurality of pivotally operable individual playing keys, an action assembly operatively connected with said keys and located adjacent one end thereof, and a generally U- shaped rigid support frame undersupportinp said keys and action assembly comprising a pair of parallel spaced side frame members with end portions extending beyond said action assembly at opposite sides of said keyboard unit; guide means located within said back unit adjacent opposite ends of said opening for receiving and guiding said end portions of said frame members, latching means operable to detachably lock said keyboard unit to said back unit in a position overcovering said opening, and means positively locating said keyboard unit in predetermined relation to said vibratory members whereby said action assembly thereof is aligned in operative adjacency thereto.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said vibratory members comprise piano strings mounted on a harp assembly within said back unit.

3. The combination `as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latching means comprise pivotally movable levers supported adjacent each of said side frame members, latch stud means mounted within said housing adjacent said guide means, and means biasing said levers appropriately to couple the same with said stud means in response to movement of said end portions along said guide means.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said keyboard unit includes cover panels carried by and extending between the side frame members of said support frame and extending above and below the latter, said cover panels being of a size and shape to close over said opening in the front panel of said back unit in response to movement of said keyboard unit into assembled position with the latter.

`5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said action assembly is supported at its opposite ends by bracket means carried by said support frame and intermediate its ends by cantilever bracket means supported on said support frame.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said back unit is equipped with means for manually engaging the same during transportation thereof, and said keyboard unit is transportable in a fitted case therefor.

7. In a piano assembly of the class described, a portable keyboard unit removably attachable to a piano back unit for operation with string and harp means mounted in the latter comprising, a substantially unitary keybed support frame including a pair of parallel spaced side frame members, elongated frame members interconnecting said side frame members, front and intermediate rail members mounted on said frame parallel to said elongated members, a keyboard assembly including a plurality of pivotally mounted playing keys supported on said intermediate rail, an elongated action assembly mounted on said frame adjacent one end of said keyboard assembly and in spaced parallelism with said rail members, said action assembly comprising a plurality of individual piano actions, each operatively connected to one of said keys for operation in response to pivotal actuation of the latter' bracket ymeans connecting opposite ends of said action assembly to said frame, cantilever mounted bracket means supporting said action assembly intermediate its ends, and latching mechanisms for detachably anchoring said keyboard unit to said back unit with the said action assembly in operative relation with the string and harp means.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said latching mechanisms comprise pivotally movable levers, one associated with each of said side frame members; guide means mounted within said piano back unit slidingly receptive of projecting end portions of said side frame members whereby said keyboard unit is adapted to be insertedly mounted on said back unit, and means mounted adjacent said guide means and `cooperatively engageable with said levers for interlocking said keyboard and back units in operative relation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,047 10/1915 Rowntree 84176 1,490,678 4/1924 Munafo 84--176 2,431,350 11/1947 Stein 84-176 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

L. R. FRANKLIN, Assistant Examiner. 

